T-Mobile trolls Verizon with half-off Google Pixel offer

T-Mobile really wants you to know that Verizon’s “exclusive” to sell the red-hot Google Pixel phone isn’t an exclusive at all.

“Don’t let the ‘exclusive’ advertisements fool you, the Pixel phone is tested and proven to be fantastic on our lightning fast network, and we want to help you get the best of both worlds!” said T-Mobile CEO John Legere in a statement.

To back up his words the company has a new limited-time offer: bring in an unlocked Pixel purchased from Verizon, Google or another vendor, sign up for T-Mobile’s “One” plan, and get up to $325 cash back, equivalent to half the price of an unlocked 32GB Pixel. The money doesn’t arrive in a lump sum, but over the course of 24 months as discounts on your T-Mobile bill of up to $13.55 per month.

In addition to stealing steam from Verizon, the move can be seen as reaction to the Galaxy Note 7 recall: T-Mobile (and other carriers) need a replacement flagship Android phone. The Google Pixel and Pixel XL seem like worthy alternatives.